FEATURED ARTICLES

• healthy diet
• healthy eating
• Benefits of spinach
• disease prevention

Details

Written by Lisa Jillanza

Eating Healthy

• Leafy, green vegetables, like spinach, provide more nutrients than any other food.
• Researchers have found at least 13 different flavonoid compounds in spinach that have been known to act as antioxidants and as anti-cancer agents, combating specific cancers like ovarian and prostate cancer.
• The vitamin K in spinach provides 200% of the daily value in fresh spinach and nearly 1000% of the daily value in boiled spinach.
• Spinach is an excellent source of vitamin C and vitamin A, folate and magnesium.

Recipe: Wilted Spinach Salad

• 10 to 12 ounces spinach, washed and torn into pieces
• ¼ cup minced red onion
• 5 to 6 radishes, thinly sliced
• 2 hard-cooked eggs, 1 chopped and 1 sliced
• 2 to 4 slices bacon
• 1 to 1 ½ tablespoons bacon drippings
• 1 ½ tablespoons sugar
• 3 tablespoons vinegar
• 1 tablespoon water
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper

Place prepared spinach in a large bowl. Add onions and radishes. Refrigerate, tightly covered. Fry or microwave bacon until crisp; remove to paper towel and set aside. In a small jar or measuring cup combine drippings with sugar, vinegar, water, salt and pepper. Refrigerate all ingredients until just before serving. When ready to serve, microwave the dressing on high for 30 to 45 seconds, or until mixture boils. Toss the chopped egg with the greens then pour the hot dressing over greens mixture; toss again lightly. Top with sliced egg and crumbled bacon.

Recipe: Spinach Lasagna

• 2 egg whites
• 26 oz of prepared spaghetti sauce
• 24 oz of ricotta cheese
• 10 oz of Lasagna noodles, cooked
• 10 oz of frozen spinach, thawed and chopped, then squeezed dry
• 2 cups of mozzarella cheese, grated, reserve ½ cup
• ¾ cup of Parmesan cheese, grated and divided, reserve 2 tablespoons
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• ½ teaspoon of black pepper
• Olive oil

Preheat oven to 350°. Prepare a 9-in. by 13-in.baking dish for lasagna. Prepare lasagna noodles as directed on the package, then rinse and drain. Combine parmesan cheese, ricotta cheeses with the egg whites, salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Pour ¼ cup of spaghetti sauce in the bottom of the baking dish and spread it out using a spatula. Cover the sauce with a single layer of lasagna noodles. Spread about half the cheese mixture over the noodles, and then cover with about half of the spinach and shredded mozzarella cheese. Finish this layer with half of the remaining spaghetti sauce. Add a second layer of noodles, topping with the remaining cheese mixture, spinach, and mozzarella cheese. Top with the final layer of noodles and remaining spaghetti sauce. Sprinkle the reserved Parmesan cheese over the top and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and set for 10-12 minutes.

• healthy diet
• eating healthy
• Bone loss
• Bone builders
• natural bone builders

Details

Written by Lisa Jillanza

Food for Thought

Many people are lactose intolerant, or just don't do dairy, but that doesn't mean they are doomed to have brittle bones.  There are plenty of non-dairy foods that are chalk full of calcium and great for building bone strength.

We all know that calcium builds strong bones, but it also ensures that your muscles, nerves and cells all work properly.  As adults, we need approximately 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day : or the equivalent of more than three 8 oz. glasses of milk a day.  But if you don't do dairy, you are still able to get your daily dose of calcium with these calcium-rich foods.

Broccoli has a calcium content of 86 milligrams in just two cups of raw broccoli.  It also contains nearly twice the vitamin C than an orange.

Collard greens contain 268 milligrams of calcium per one cup cooked.  It is also loaded with three days worth of vitamin A.

Sardines have a calcium content of 351 milligrams in a 3.75 oz. can.  While some people may fear sardines simply on looks alone, they are really quite tasty and are an amazing source of vitamin B12 and vitamin D.

Canned salmon contains 232 milligrams of calcium in just a half of a can.  It also contains 38 grams of “belly-flattening” protein.

White beans have a calcium content of 63 milligrams in ½ cup cooked.  They are also very rich in fiber, protein, potassium and iron.

Tofu contains 434 milligrams of calcium in just a half of a cup.  It is typically a vegetarian's source of protein and takes on the taste of whatever it is cooked with.

Edamame contains 98 milligrams of calcium in one cup cooked.  It is also one of the few non-animal foods that is a complete protein : meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids. And 8 grams of fiber per serving isn't too shabby, either.

• active lifestyle
• Healthy living
• exercise benefits

Details

Written by Lisa Jillanza

Healthy Living

In the fast paced world that we live in, many people do not take the time out of their day that they should to properly take care of themselves.

But many health issues can be addressed in just 10 seconds.  Check out some of these tips!

Put your contacts in after you shower. 

Getting a shower while wearing your contacts can expose your eyes to infection-causing waterborne microbes.  It's best to wait until after you shower to put them in.

Check your thyroid.

Even a mildly overactive thyroid can increase your heart disease risk by 65 percent.  A quick blood test can check your level of TSH or thyroid stimulating hormone.

Drink hot tea in the morning.

According to the International Journal of Cancer, drinking hot tea in the morning can slash your risk of kidney cancer by 15 percent.  They also suggest trying pu-erh tea instead of green or black tea, because it is better at preventing DNA damage

Recline a little.

Canadian researchers have found that keeping your body at a 90-degree angle puts a lot of strain on your spine.  Give your back a break and recline a little : the ideal angle is 45 degrees off vertical.

Get enough sleep.

British studies show that getting more than 9 hours a sleep a night or getting less than 6 hours a sleep a night, doubles your risk of an early death from any cause.  Experts always suggest that you should aim for 7 or 8 hours a night.

Eat steamed broccoli, not boiled.

By simply modifying the way that you cook your broccoli can increase the concentration of glucosinolates : compounds found to fight cancer : by 30 percent. Always steam your broccoli; boiling actually lowers the level of the compound.

Drink some wine. (Yes, we are serious!)

A recent Israeli study shows that polyphenols, the compounds found in red wine, help block fat absorption, so drink an extra glass of red wine. (or two!)

• blood pressure
• blood pressure myths

Details

Written by Lisa Jillanza

Did you know that roughly one in three American adults has high blood pressure?  A staggering fact is that having untreated blood pressure can lead to further serious conditions like heart failure, stroke, heart disease and kidney failure.

But do you know the facts about high blood pressure? Or have you fallen victim to believing the many myths out there about blood pressure?

Find out more as we sift through the myths to find the facts!

MYTH : Lower blood pressure is always better.

Low blood pressure could be a concern if it causes symptoms of dizziness, fainting or shock.  But, it is true that sometimes low blood pressure is normal for some people.

MYTH : Nervousness, sweating and lack of sleep are all symptoms.

Actually high blood pressure does not have any symptoms.  Nearly one-third of all adults who have high blood pressure do not even know that they have blood pressure issues at all.

MYTH - If you have high cholesterol, then you have high blood pressure.

While many of the same poor exercise and food choices cause both high cholesterol and high blood pressure, people can have just one or the other : or both.

MYTH : Once you are feeling better you don't need to take your blood pressure medication anymore.

If a doctor has prescribed a blood pressure medication for your high blood pressure, you should follow their exact orders.

• active lifestyle
• benefits of exercise
• outdoor activities

Details

Written by Lisa Jillanza

Fitness for All

Not too long ago we were breaking out the shorts and t-shirts, swim suits and flip flops, and heading outdoors to make the most of the beautiful summer days.  But with only days left in the summer season, there is still time to get outdoors and take advantage of the weather, all the while getting your work outs in outdoors.

Running, hiking, swimming, and playing outdoor sports are all great ways to get your daily amount of exercise, but why not try something new in these last few weeks of summer?

Snorkeling:  If you are heading to the beach or if you live at the beach, pick up a mask and snorkel and get ready for a good time and a great exercise.  Not only will you see some pretty amazing things below the water's surface, but you will also be getting a great aerobic workout without even realizing it.

Yard sports:  Not all outdoor exercises or sports have to be organized : shoot some hoops, play a game of kickball or wiffleball or pick up a tennis racket and hit up the local courts.

Water skiing: While water skiing is a sport that you may need to work up to, there is no time like the present to give it a try.  Water skiing is a fun water sport, where you use a wide variety of muscles to participate in it and therefore it is a great summertime sport for someone looking for something new to try out.

Kayaking/Canoeing: Kayaking and canoeing are not just fun water sports, but they are also very physically challenging sports.  Experts suggest that you take your time learning how to kayak or canoe and enjoy the area in which you decide to try out your new sport.  Row for awhile, but then take a break and take in the beautiful scenery around you.

Rock climbing:  Although this sport requires the assistance of a professional, most people do not realize the amount of physical strength it takes to participate in rock climbing.  Find an experienced rock climber in your area, and give it a shot.  Before you know it, you'll get the “hang” of it and will wonder why it took you this long to try it out.